Arcadia Spain

Catalans love coffee! We can drink coffee at any time during the day and always in a bar or at home. We get surprised when somebody, usually a tourist, order a coffee to take away and drink it on the street in his way to another place. Really?  For us coffee is taken inside a cafetería, with no hurry, and even better, with friends or colleagues. One of the typical Catalan expressions to meet with somebody is “quedem per fer el café”, which means “let’s meet to take a coffee”.

It is important, though, how to ask for your coffee. Here you have a useful dictionary guide to help you to order the most typical kinds of coffee.  

CAFÈ SOL

Spanish: Café solo
English: Shot of espresso

A cafè sol is a single shot of espresso, as plain and simple as it seems. It is usually presented in a short, clear glass. In summer, it is often ordered with ice (Cafè sol amb gel). This is the most preferred option for coffee lovers.

CAFÈ AMERICÀ

Spanish: Café americano
English: Hot water and espresso

The most similar coffee to the USA, therefore the name. The strength depends on the ratio of shots of espresso to water.

CAFÈ AMB LLET

Spanish: Café con leche
English: Expresso and milk in equal parts

It is served in a bigger cup than the rest and it is the most typical coffee for breakfast. A delicious combination of equal parts espresso and hot milk

TALLAT

Spanish: Cortado
English: Espresso with a bit of milk

Between a cafè sol and a cafè amb llet we find the tallat – an espresso 'cut' with milk. ('Tallat' and 'cortado' both literally translate to 'cut'.). It’s a less-bitter choice than an espresso and less consistent than a café amb llet. Therefore, it is a good option to take after lunch or dinner.

CIGALÓ

Spanish: Carajillo
English: Coffee with alcohol

A cigaló is a small coffee with a splash of alcohol. Typically, you can order it anywhere that serves both coffee and liquor. Although you can add whatever alcohol you like, the most popular options are with Baileys ('cigaló de Baileys') or with rum ('digaló de ron'). It is commonly drunk after lunch or dinner.